Skryne U12’s Spring League is well under way now. With plenty of football played we were in a tough group. The U12’s play with two teams from 7 aside to 11 aside. The whole purpose of the two teams is so that everyone gets a game and at the end of the games the two scores are accumulated together. This is competitive football and there is a chance of a cup at the end.
The rules are as follows:
- Two touch football.
- A goal equals a point.
- If there are any subs it is a roll on roll off system.
- There is a maximum of 11 aside.
The teams that are in Skryne’s group are as follows:
- Seneschalstown
- Summerhill
- Trim
- Clann Na Gael (Athboy)
- Na Fianna (Enfield)
Our first U12’s match was against Seneschalstown in their own pitch on the 6th April. The game was played on Saturday. The weather conditions were good. We had a lot of people missing due to injury or off sick for this one. The two teams got off to a good start and gave it everything. The pace was fast and Seneschalstown were very strong and physical. We had some U10 players and with Billy Reilly scoring some fine examples of points from all angles. Sean Whelan was strong in Midfield and with Sam Hawes giving his usual stern performance in defence. At half time both teams were struggling to get scores but worked hard and tirelessly. David Rathbourne also stood out with Shane Smyth as usual covering every blade of grass and playing well. With the Skryne seniors losing to Seneschalstown with a late goal they were to do the double on Skryne by beating the U12’s. Things didn’t go our way but would love another game against our neighbours at a later stage.
Our second game was against Summerhill on Saturday 13th April. There was a strong breeze but it was a dry day in Fr Mc Manus Park in Skryne. This was another game that was going to be tough and once again our Senior team were also due to play Summerhill the next day. We had two teams. This was to be one of the best performances by the U12’s. It proved how good our defence was and how good in midfield we were and also the great points that were scored. On one side of the field we had James O Brien in goals. Luke Brady, Gary Brown & David Rathbourne in defence. Alex Grendon & Shane Smyth were in midfield & Billy Reilly & Shane Smyth were in the forwards. Alex Grendon got the first point of the game from play. Gary Brown & Luke Brady were strong in defence and David Rathbourne swept up all the breaking balls. Shane Smyth made some great runs forward and linked with Niall Moreland who scored the second point. There was a side-line ball from midfield and with the wind behind them the duties of the side line kicks were handed to Alex Grendon. He put the ball straight over the black spot to register another point. As with all kids confidence and positivity helps a lot. Alex was now on a high. He scored three points from side line balls. Billy Reilly and Niall Moreland were linking up well and Billy was doing a lot of work to feed the ball into Niall. Niall took some great scores and Skryne were now notching up the scores. Shane Smyth who was playing in the forwards laid off some good balls to his name sake Shane Smyth who plays in midfield. (Don’t be confused as we have two Shane Smyths) In the second half Gary went into goals and James O Brien played in defence. James took over were Gary left off. James caught some lovely high balls and kept the supply going to the Skryne Forwards. Alex was switched to the forwards and Niall was brought into midfield with some fresh legs. On the other team Jack Dardis played exceptionally well along with Niall Finnerty in midfield. Killian Cullen was in the forwards and scored some lovely points. Tom Rafter & Josh Farrell had a great game and gave it more than 100%. Sam Hawes cleaned up everything in defence. It was a great performance by both sides and the lads gave it their all.
Finals Score was,
Skryne….39 points
Summerhill…16 points
Skryne Vrs Clann Na Gael Saturday 27th April in Fr Mc Manus Park. Skryne knew very little about Clann Na Gael other than they had beaten Seneschalstown by double scores. We had never played them before. We knew that this was going to be a tough ask but always knew that the lads would give it their all. The sides stayed the same with Pauric Finnerty, Martin Browne & Gordon Dardis taking one team. Cormac Grendon & Declan Browne took the second team. Clann Na Gael got off to a blistering start on both sides. The Skryne lads gave it their all but with the fast passing and inter change it was a very fast game. The half time couldn’t come quick enough for the Skryne lads. We regrouped both teams and had a chat with the lads. On Cormac & Declan’s side Skryne were down 9 points to 3 points to Clann Na Gael. When they mention at matches that “it was a game of two halves” this was to be true. Skryne battled hard in the second half and kept Clann Na Gael pointless. Things were changing and the Skryne men were on the front foot and in top gear.
The only thing that was against them was the clock. Some great points scoring by Skryne with only a few wide’s meant that Clann Na Gael unfortunately were going to pip it on the aggregate score. It was another great performance and a good match to watch. We were really proud of the lads and to be beaten was not really worrying us. This proved that the lads have the never die attitude and could beat this team if we were to meet them again. When the teams shook hands some of the Clann Na Gael players mentioned how lucky they were to win in the end. The referee even mentioned the great come back of Skryne and another 5 Mins the result would have been different. The Final score in Skryne was,
Skryne……18 Points
Clann Na gael…26 points.
Skryne vrs Na Fianna of Enfield was our next game and this time we had to travel to Enfield for a must win game to secure a semi-final. The game took place on Saturday 4th May. It was great weather for football. On one panel we had James Mc Cabe, Sean Mc Govern, Gary Browne, Luke Brady, David Rathbourne, Alex Grendon, Shane Smyth, Bill Reilly, Niall Moreland, Owen Conway. This team played some great football and the passing and movement was really good. We were missing a few players and we were ahead at half time with a strong breeze behind us. The second half was as good as the first as Billy Reilly who played one of his best games ticked off point after point. The defence of Luke Brady, James O Brien & Gary Browne was strong as ever. Shane Smyth & Niall Moreland linked up well to keep the feed of balls into the forward line of Billy Reilly, Alex Grendon & Sean Mc Govern. Sean Mc Govern scored a lovely point and the team were battling away.
On the other side was David Clarke, Niall Finnerty, Sam Hawes, Sean Keogh, Tom Rafter, Jack Dardis, Killian Cullen, Josh Farrell, Sean Keogh, Oisin Keogh, This side set a blistering start against Na Fianna and with a must win they gave 100% from the word go. David Clarke played well in defence along with Josh Farrell, Killian Cullen and Oisin Keogh gave it their all in the forwards. Niall Finnerty & Jack Dardis played well in the middle of the field and kept the game in control. Sean Keogh also gave one of his best performances. Sam Hawes in defence made sure that as little as possible was going to get by him and stopped anything that came his way. Tom Rafter caught plenty and used his strength to great ability. In the end both teams done what they were asked to do. That was to leave Enfield with a win under their belt. The final score was
Na Fianna…..23 Points
Skryne……….33 Points
The Skryne U12’s are in a semi-final against Seneschalstown with Seneschalstown having home advantage on Friday 24th May at 7pm.
We would love all your support for the semi-final !!!
Pauric & Cormac
